recommended route
The Wild Start - Covão d'Ametade > Manteigas - GRZ on Foot: Stage 1
-
The Wild Start - Covão d'Ametade > Manteigas - GRZ: Stage 1Photo: Diogo Martins, Aldeias do Xisto
Author’s recommendation
Waymarks > 3- It’s missing signs in at least one crossroad that can compromise the navigation without a map or GPS.
Conservation of the path > 4- In a good overall status of conservation with some isolated situations.
General conservation > 4- There aren’t any specific degraded areas identified.
Information boards and signs > 3- Reasonably maintained and with interest
Complementary boards > 1- Nonexistent or without minimum quality
Safety and suport structures > 4- Well-maintained essential structures
Local community integration > 4- Encourages integration / contacts with the community
Landscape integration > 5- Perfectly integrated into the landscape, exploring relevant points of interest
General Safety > 4- Has occasional low-risk situations
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
Take the necessary precautions for high temperatures in summer and slippery terrain in the winter. The levels of difficulty and times given are only indicative. They were calculated on a physical effort basis and do not include stops. Make your estimate by analising the technical data of path to be taken.There is more than one intersection without signaling so we recommend using GPS or APP.
This path has a section of technical track so it is recommended to use poles.
Contact information
SOS Emergency: 112
SOS Forest: 117
Manteigas Municipal Council: (+351) 275 980 000 | turismo@cm-manteigas.pt
Tips and hints
The River Zêzere rises beside Torre, at an altitude of nearly 1993 m. It gushes between the steep walls of the Cântaros and starts to take shape in Covão d'Ametade where it makes its way with great pride, as though getting ready to enlarge its flow to later deposit it, with all its force, in the River Tejo. Leaving Covão d'Ametade, the River Zêzere breaks out through the glacial valley and winds its way for 200 km between lush, fertile valleys until it empties into the River Tejo at Constância. More than 10 km in length, the Zêzere glacial valley has a well formed 'u' shape, cleansing water through all its pores. The municipality of Manteigas, in the middle of the Estrela Mountain Range Nature Park offers visitors a diverse landscape with unparalleled attractions of great beauty and tranquillity, allowing intimate contact with nature.
The Estrela Mountain is Portugal’s only mountain where the glacial activity can be felt in such a unique way, imprinting itself in the landscape as polished rocks, erratic blocks, large coves, morays and glacial lagoons and deep U-shaped valleys.Water is a structuring element, allowing economic activities to develop around it. Investments made on thermal baths, at Estância Termal – Caldas de Manteigas, and trout farming at Viveiro das Trutas are but a few examples.Pastoralism and related activities gave rise to an industry linked to wool, which motivates the annual Expo Estrela.
Places not to be missed include the waterfall at the Paulo Luís Martins Fountain, which never stops spouting its refreshing water, Poço do Inferno ["Hell Well"], the waterfall with approximately 10 m that originates in the gorge formed by the Leandres Stream, and the Penhas Douradas ["Golden Cliffs"].
It is worth making the most of the passage through the Amoreira Valley to visit Cruzeiro, the main church, the Alminhas Fountain and other fountains. The river beaches and natural landscapes are also striking attractions in this region.
Gastronomy
- Sausages
- Chouriça [traditional smoked sausage], Farinheira [wheat-pork based sausage] and Morcela [Black Pudding]
- Sheep and goat cheeses
- Rye bread and corn bread
- Caldudo (dried chestnut broth – piladas)
- Pumpkin soup
- Locally produced brown or rainbow trout
- Feijoca stew with pork cuts
- Serrana style stew
- Deboned lean pork vinha d’alho style [in a wine vinegar marinade]
- Oven-baked beans
- Desserts: Cottage cheese with pumpkin jam, rice pudding, crista [crest] cake, milk cakes, cavacas [syrup cakes], esquecidos [biscuits] and bean pastries
- Juniper brandy
- Jeropiga [Sweet wine liqueur]
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Coordinates
Statistics
- 2 Waypoints
- 2 Waypoints
Questions and answers
Would you like to the ask the author a question?
Rating
Help others by being the first to add a review.
Photos from others